So. The gloves come off. In the space of a few hours we've learned that Sarah Palin thought Africa was a country, was a 'Wasilla Hillbilly' on a crosscountry Neiman Marcus spree, spread dissent in the campaign, slutted around semi-nude in meetings, and went 'off the reservation' in launching the Ayers attacks despite, y'know, McCain REALLY not wanting to go there. All this on top of the 'diva', 'those weren't the remarks we sent to her plane' and 'going rogue' comments from before the actual election.
And we're all very excited about it.
But c'mon people. I don't doubt that Palin did SOME of these things. Maybe all of them. But before we obsess too much, let's at least consider WHY we're hearing about this now.
This is Act 1, Scene 1 in the upcoming drama of the Republican party. The Protagonists are Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney (and maybe one or two others). What we're hearing are deliberate leaks designed to destroy her so Mitt can assume the mantel of party leader. And there are more than a few on their side already thinking 'if only we'd selected Mitt, we could have ridden out this economic storm'. We've heard Mitt's people were sticking the knife in pre-election, so what do you think they're doing now? The run to 2012 has started already. The battle for the Republican soul has begun.
None of this is to say that we shouldn't enjoy this. Of course we should. Pass the popcorn. But before we get quite so keyed up, let's AT LEAST understand we're being played.... It's Mittens v. Palin... And let's call them on their spin.